Galaxy A35 Vs Google Pixel 8

Galaxy A35
Galaxy A35
Starting at

Refurbished price:£119.00

Versus £367.31 new

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Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
Starting at

Refurbished price:£185.99

Versus £699.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A35, released in March 2024, and the Google Pixel 8, launched in October 2023, are both Android smartphones offering distinct experiences. While the Galaxy A35 focuses on a larger display and expandable storage, the Pixel 8 emphasizes advanced computational photography and a longer software support commitment. Both devices run on the Android operating system, providing access to a wide ecosystem of applications and services.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability.

  • Release Timeline: The Google Pixel 8, released in October 2023, is slightly older than the Samsung Galaxy A35, which launched in March 2024. This difference in release dates means the Pixel 8 has already used a few months of its software support window.
  • Software Longevity: The Google Pixel 8 offers a substantial commitment of seven years of OS and security updates, extending its software support well into the future. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy A35 is slated to receive four major OS upgrades and five years of security updates. This difference means the Pixel 8 will continue to receive new features and security patches for a significantly longer period.
  • Repairability: The Samsung Galaxy A35 generally scores well in repairability, with ratings around 8.4 out of 10, indicating good accessibility for spare parts and repair manuals. The Google Pixel 8 has a repairability score of approximately 7 out of 10, suggesting that while self-repairs are possible, some components might be more challenging to replace due to adhesive use.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use is shaped by the internal components and how they handle various tasks, from simple navigation to more demanding applications.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Google Pixel 8, powered by its custom-designed processor, delivers a smooth and responsive experience for general navigation, app launches, and multitasking. Users can expect efficient handling of demanding applications and modern games. The Samsung Galaxy A35, featuring its own octa-core processor, provides capable performance for daily tasks like browsing, streaming, and social media. While it handles casual gaming well, some users might observe occasional minor delays when opening heavier applications or during extended, graphically intensive gaming sessions.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: Both devices typically come with 8GB of RAM in their standard configurations, allowing for effective multitasking and switching between multiple applications without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy A35 also offers a 6GB RAM option.
  • Storage Options: Both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 8 are available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. A key difference is that the Galaxy A35 supports expandable storage via a microSD card, allowing users to increase storage capacity up to 1TB. The Pixel 8 does not offer a microSD card slot.
  • Battery Behavior: The Samsung Galaxy A35 is equipped with a 5000 mAh battery, which often translates to extended usage, with many users reporting it can last through a full day of heavy use and potentially up to a day and a half with lighter usage. The Google Pixel 8 has a 4575 mAh battery, providing reliable power for a full day of typical use.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely determined by its display technology, resolution, and brightness capabilities.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both the Samsung Galaxy A35 and the Google Pixel 8 feature vibrant OLED displays, known for their deep blacks and rich colors. The Galaxy A35 uses a Super AMOLED panel, while the Pixel 8 utilizes an OLED panel. Both offer Full HD+ resolutions (1080x2340 for A35, 1080x2400 for Pixel 8), providing sharp and clear visuals for everyday content consumption.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy A35's display can reach up to 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode (HBM), ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions, including direct sunlight. The Pixel 8 offers higher peak brightness, reaching up to 1400 nits in HBM and a peak of 2000 nits for small areas of content, which can enhance outdoor readability and HDR content viewing.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices feature a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling, more fluid animations, and a more responsive feel during interactions. The Pixel 8's display is adaptive, capable of adjusting its refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz to optimize power consumption.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy A35 has a larger 6.6-inch display, offering a more expansive canvas for media consumption and productivity. The Pixel 8 features a slightly more compact 6.2-inch display, which may appeal to users preferring a smaller device for one-handed use.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Super AMOLED

OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture moments, but they approach image processing and feature sets differently.

  • Rear Camera System: The Samsung Galaxy A35 features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro lens. The Google Pixel 8 comes with a dual-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS and a wider f/1.68 aperture, alongside a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus and a broader field of view.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy A35's main camera delivers vibrant and detailed photos in good lighting conditions, with Samsung's image processing enhancing colors. Its low-light performance is generally good, especially with night mode. The Pixel 8 is known for its computational photography, producing consistent and high-quality images across various conditions, particularly excelling in dynamic range and low-light scenarios.
  • Video Recording: Both devices are capable of recording video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second (fps) with their main cameras. The Pixel 8 extends its video capabilities to 4K at 60fps for the rear camera and also supports 4K video recording with its front camera.
  • Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A35 has a 13MP front-facing camera. The Pixel 8 features a 10.5MP front camera.
  • Audio Experience: Both smartphones offer stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience during media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

10.5 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity: Both the Galaxy A35 and Pixel 8 support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy A35 supports Wi-Fi 6, while the Pixel 8 features the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, offering potentially faster and more efficient wireless connections where available. Both include Bluetooth 5.3 and NFC for wireless accessories and contactless payments.
  • Ports and Biometrics: Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, though the Pixel 8 features USB-C 3.2, offering faster data speeds compared to the Galaxy A35's USB-C 2.0. Neither phone includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Both incorporate in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking.
  • Build Materials and Durability: The Galaxy A35 features a glass front with Gorilla Glass Victus+, a plastic frame, and a plastic rear, offering IP67 dust and water resistance. The Pixel 8 has a more premium build with Gorilla Glass Victus on both the front and back, an aluminum frame, and an IP68 rating for enhanced dust and water protection.
  • Dimensions and Handling: The Galaxy A35 is slightly larger and heavier at 161.7 x 78.0 x 8.2mm and 209g. The Pixel 8 is more compact and lighter, measuring 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm and weighing 187g, which may make it easier for one-handed operation.

Weight

209 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.2

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy A35 often highlights its strong battery life, vibrant display, and capable main camera as significant advantages. Some users note that while performance is generally adequate for daily use, it might not match higher-end devices for intensive tasks. The inclusion of expandable storage is also a frequently praised feature. Criticisms sometimes point to the presence of a macro lens that some find less useful, and occasional minor stutters in the user interface.

The Google Pixel 8 receives consistent praise for its exceptional camera performance, particularly its computational photography features and low-light capabilities. Users also appreciate its extended software support and the clean Android experience. Some common observations include its slightly smaller battery compared to some competitors, though it generally provides a full day of use, and its repairability, while decent, might require more care for certain components.

Users prioritizing a larger display, expandable storage, and a long-lasting battery for general daily use and media consumption may find the Samsung Galaxy A35 well-suited to their needs. Those who value advanced camera capabilities, a compact form factor, and the longest possible software support directly from Google will likely lean towards the Google Pixel 8. Both devices offer a solid Android experience, and choosing between them often comes down to these specific priorities. For those considering a more sustainable choice, both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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